From the 2008 drummers pounding away in unison, to the mass tai chi performance, to the hundreds of beautiful girls in gorgeous costumes, and finally to Li Ning's "run" around the stadium suspended on wires before lighting the Olympic flame, it is chock full of color, excitement, and innovation.

Being in the US, my initial experience of the Opening Ceremonies was NBC's taped coverage, and now having this DVD based on the CCTV broadcast, I finally realize how much was never shown on US television.

For example, the segment with Chinese opera and the puppeteers was cut out from the US broadcast, and the CCTV crews obviously spend many extra minutes filming the entry of the Chinese team all the way into the athlete's field in the middle of the stadium, as well as filming every step the Olympic flag-bearers take as they walk around the track. Moreover, you get to see the athlete's oath and the official's oath, and the full length of all the fireworks display.

These version are also much cheaper than NBC's US DVD set, so definitely pick up these superior versions of the ceremonies.